Newcastle defender Taylor: Feels like new era

Taylor, now Newcastle's longest serving player after Shola Ameobi's departure this summer, says the new signings - midfielders Siem De Jong, Jack Colback and Remy Cabella, strikers Ayoze Perez and Emmanuel Riviere, and defender Daryl Janmaat - have been a breath of fresh air.

"It feels like a new era at Newcastle," said Taylor. "We knew when Yohan Cabaye left that the gaffer would have to bring in some new signings and it has happened now. Quite a number of new players have come in and everyone around the club is very excited about the future.

"We are looking at the new season knowing we have some great signings and we are all looking forward to it.

"You are seeing the start of a new era now at Newcastle and I've seen a few eras over the years. That's what it feels like. It is a new start with great signings and you can sense the fans are getting very excited as well.

"The new players have given a lift to the whole city. It is something we needed and it has happened.

"Everybody has looked at how we did last season and especially with results in the second half of the campaign, we know we have to improve considerably from that."